I’m a four-time nationally certified trainer with over 20 years of experience. I’ve also spent the same amount of time writing fitness and health articles for hundreds of print and online publications including HuffPo, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Family Circle and many more.

In the process, I’ve talked to the top leaders in the field of weight loss, fitness and health. I even won a couple of awards.

Through my 61 years on this planet, I’ve learned this important fact: A fit body after 50 isn’t about being skinny, being about to leap tall buildings in a single bound or outrun your grandkids. It's about being the best version of YOU, so you can do what you want with ease, energy and strength.

I'm here to help you achieve that.

Pour yourself a cup of green tea, dive into my blogs, check out my programs and let me know how I can help you. I believe in you!

How to get moving when you have 8,000 reasons not to

As the most motivated person I know, it’s disturbing to find myself wanting to pull the covers over my head every morning when I realize, nope, it wasn’t just a bad dream.

The good news is all my years of battling a panic disorder prepared me for this moment.

My fear is certifiably legit.

“See? It’s NOT safe to leave the house!”

Case closed.

The defense rests, your honor. I’d like to request a recess until 2022.

Yet, if you’re healthy enough to move, taking time to exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mind as well as your body.

You know this, I know.

But you now have 8,000 inarguable reasons for not wanting to work out and no one will fault you for it.

But here’s the thing: Reasons for staying fit have shifted.

Exercising so you can fit into your pre-COVID pants or look great in a one-piece swimsuit lag far behind surviving a trip to the grocery store.

It’s about strengthening your immune system and giving yourself a fighting chance if the worst happens.

In other words: It’s literally life or death.

So with that in mind, how DO you stay motivated when the world is caving in around you like a scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?

Here are a few ways I keep myself going when the last thing I want to do is, well, anything….

TAKE FIVE

Tell yourself you only have to exercise for five minutes. That’s it. This can be a few minutes of walking in place or around the house, with a couple of push-ups and squats. Chances are you’ll keep going for longer. But if not, that’s fine, too. YAA! You did it.

FIND A SCENIC ROUTE inside your house

At the risk of sounding (more) like a crazy person, here’s something I found that works for me. I exercise in a room that faces my street. I keep the blinds open so I can see people walking outside. I feel as if we’re “in this together” and it makes me feel less lonely. Sad, but true.

If you’re stuck in a windowless room, bring in a laptop or other screen with a motivating visual, be it other people, a workout class, or whatever works for you.

DRESS THE PART

Change into workout clothes. Trying to get motivated when you’re still in your PJs doesn’t get your head in the game. I put on workout clothes, workout gloves and earbuds, fill a water bottle and do all the things I used to do before going to the gym (let’s have a moment of silence for those days) to get in the right frame of mind.

DO IT FIRST THING

I’ve said this a million times in the past, but it still stands as one of the best ways to git ‘er done. Before you open your emails or hop on Facebook, get your fitness done first. Check it off the list and move on.

KEEP YOUR “WHY” IN MIND

Focus on the reasons you’re exercising whenever you feel like skipping it. Make a list of those reasons (e.g. living long enough to bug your grandchildren into their 30s) and post the list where you’ll see it often.

What about you? What makes YOU want to stay active when the going gets tough?